Musings of the Minstrel

On mother's day I took my wife and mother-in-law to a nice restaurant downtown. We were having a great time enjoying the atmosphere, food and ambiance when suddenly the fire alarm went off and the emergency lights started flashing. It went on for 10 minutes or so, until the fire department showed up. They climbed down from their trucks, dressed to fight a fire. During all the noise people who were passing by started peeking in the windows to see what was going on. There was a great amount of activity and noise, but THERE WAS NO FIRE! It was all just bells & whistles!

Revelation 3:1 gives us the account of God speaking to the church at Sardis. He told them that he knew their works. He said "You have a reputation for being alive, but really you're dead". The church at Sardis had a reputation for life but it was all "bells & whistles". There was a whole lot of activity, noise and even a crowd was coming to see, but there was no fire, no life, no real accomplishment.

God help us to not get so good at "doing church" that it becomes just bells & whistles. Busy with running programs but no life giving spirit in our midst.

Let's get back to what makes the fire fall. Let's not live off a reputation but God help us to walk in the reality of the Holy Ghost.